Visible record loose-leaf binder



June 27, 1944. A. GQLOTT ER VISIBLE RECORD LOOS E LEAF BINDER Filed July9, 1943 Patented June 27,1944

T' OFFICE VISIBLE RECORD Loose-intimate. .F I "I Adolph G. Lotter,Milwauk 1 Stationers Loose 'Leaf Company, Wis, a corporation ofWisconsin Application July 9, 194a, {s rial-Ne. 493,994 I Milwaukee, I

This invention relates-to loose leaf binders and refers moreparticularly to the sci-called visible record type of binder wherein thecomplementary hingedly connected binderheads are longitudinal- 1yshiftable with respect to each other.

In loose leaf binders of this type each binder head carries a series ofimpaling prongs to engage in the apertures of the leaves. The relativespacingsof the impaling prongs and apertures are such that when thebinder is open leaves on the prongs of one binder head may be shiftedwith relation to the leaves mounted on the, prongs of the other binderhead by shifting the binder heads longitudinally with respect to eachother.

Shifting of the binder heads is effected manually and while it can bedone only with the binder open, in the past there was little controlover the relative longitudinal positions of the binder heads at the timeof closure of the binder by the operator. If the operator was notcareful he was apt to close the binder without making certain that theheads were in such relative position of longitudinal adjustment that theprongs would line up properly with the apertures in the leaves. Tearingof the leaves thus often resulted.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide means forautomatically effecting endwise shifting of the binder heads to one orthe other of their limits of movement during the closure of the binderto thus insure against tearing the leaves by improper alignment of theprongs and apertures.

. More specifically, it is an object of this invention to provide cammeans on one of the binder heads cooperating with an abutment on theother binder head by which the binder heads are positively shiftedlongitudinally to one or the other of their limits of motion during theact of closing the binder.

The heads of binders of this type are generally provided with latchmeans for holding the same in closed and partially opened positions andthese latch means consist of a pivoted latch member on one of the binderheads coacting with a hook on the other binder head.

With a view toward minimizing the number of parts and achieving maximumsimplicity, it is another object of this invention to mount the cam bywhich the desired automatic longitudinal shifting of the binder heads isaccomplished on the pivoted latch member to engage the hook duringclosure of the binder.

With the above and other objects in view which ,will appear as thedescription proceeds, this invention resides in the novel construction,combination and arrangement of partssubstantially as' hereinafterdescribed, .and more particularly defined by the appended claims, itbeing understood that such changes in the precisejembodh .ment of theherei-ndisclosed invention may be made as come within the scope of theclaims.

The accompanying drawing illustrates two complete examples of thephysical embodiments of the invention constructed inaccordance with the.best modes so far devised forthe practical application of theprinciples thereof, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of a loose leaf binder embodying thisinvention, sa idview showing the binder in ;a par;tially' open position;

Figure 1?,is a view" showing one end portion of the binder heads,;saidview looking into the interior of the binder heads and showing the samein their fully opened positions;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of one end portion of the binder heads andillustrating specifically the manner in which the cam functions toeffect shifting of the heads in the event they are not properlypositioned relative to each other for closure; and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating another camarrangement for effecting the desired longitudinal shifting of thebinder heads.

Referring now to. the accompanying drawing in which like numeralsindicate like parts, the numerals 5 and 6 designate two complementarybinder heads hingedly connected by means of a hinge I, the loops 8 andcomplementary spaces of which are of such relative lengths as to enablea degree of longitudinal shifting of one binder head with respect to theother.

Both of the binder heads are equipped with the covers 9 and sets ofimpaling prongs i0 spaced to engage in the apertures of the leaves llwhen the binder heads are at one or the other of their limits oflongitudinal adjustment.

A latch mechanism is provided for releasably holding the binder heads inclosed or partially opened positions. This latch mechanism is sinrilarto that shown and described in Patent No. 1,744,275 issued to Adolph G.Lotter, January 21, 1930. Briefly, it comprises a pivoted latch memberl2 and a cooperating hook l3 at each end of one of the binder heads. Arock shaft M having crank arms on its opposite ends engaging in arms L:of the latch members connects the two latch members for simultaneousoperation, and springs l6 yieldingly bias the latch members to theiroperative positions from which they may be retracted by pressure appliedon finger pieces [1.

As shown in Figures2 and 3 any relative positioning of the binder headsother than the extremes results in automatic longitudinal shifting ofthe binder heads to bring them into proper hook fixed to one of thebinder heads, and a pivoted spring biased latch member on the othe rbinder head; and a cam mounted on said latch relative relationshipduring the act of closing the binder. In this manner the desiredassurance against tearing the leaves by improper alignment of the prongswith the apertures is entirely eliminated.

Another arrangement of cams to accomplish the same purpose isillustrated in the modified embodiment of the invention shown in Figure4. In this instance the two wall surfaces 2| of the binder headsadjacent to the hinged connection 1 have complementary cams 22 securedthereon. These cams are so disposed that during closure of the binderthe desired longitudinal shifting of the binder heads is efiected.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawing it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art thatthis invention provides a substantial improvement in visible recordloose leaf binders by positively assuring proper'positioning of thebinder heads as the binder is closed.

member and positioned to engage the hook and automatically shift thebinder heads longitudinally with respect to each other to one limit ofmotion during closure of the binder and thereby assure proper alignmentof the impaling prongs with the apertures of the leaves.

' 2. In a loose leaf binder of the visible record type, wherein thecomplementary binder heads are connected for relative longitudinal aswell as hinged motion so that leaves on the impaling prongs of onebinder head may be shifted with respect to leaves on the impaling prongsof the other binder head: cooperating latch parts on said binder headsfor releasably securing the binder heads in their closed positions; andcam means on one of said parts positioned to engage the other of saidparts and automatically shift the binder heads longitudinally to onelimit of relative movement during lclosure of the binder to assureproper alignment of the impaling prongs with the apertures of theleaves.

ADOLPH G. LOTI'ER.

